Photo: NHL.com
Minnesota Wild star left-wing Kirill Kaprizov may be a wanted man in Russia, his home country, for buying a fraudulent military identification. The 25-year-old returned to Russia on June 26.
Per Sport-Express, Kirill Kaprizov is now wanted in Russia with his name being linked to fraudulent military IDs that were sold to CSKA players including goaltender Ivan Fedotov.
— World Hockey Report (@worldhockeyrpt) July 6, 2022
MatchTV and the SHOT Telegram channel have also reported that Kaprizov may be linked to former police officer, Farit Samigullin, who was detained in April for illegally helping to buy fraudulent military identifications.
Kaprizov’s return to North America may be in question, although there are some reports he has already returned.
Upon hearing about the arrest of Ivan Fedotov, Kirill Kaprizov reportedly immediately returned to the United States. His name is linked to fraudulent military IDs being sold to players, including Fedotov, and Kaprizov is now wanted in Russia, per Sport-Express.
— Andrew Zadarnowski (@AZadarski) July 6, 2022
Wild general manager Bill Guerin told The Athletic that Kaprizov is still in Russia, contrary to reports that he had fled for the United States.
“We’re trying to find out as much as we can, but we’re not worried too much about it,” Guerin said. “I’ve talked to (Kaprizov’s agent) Paul (Theofanous). We’re not going to push the panic button or anything like that. We’re just trying to gather information right now and find out if this is even credible.”
According to The Athletic, Kaprizov’s exemption expired June 30, according to one source familiar with the situation. If that’s true, regardless of the accusation that he bought a military ID five years ago, Kaprizov could be required to fulfill his military obligations. In Russia, men must serve in the military for one year between the ages of 18 and 27.
Fedotov was arrested outside a hockey arena in St. Petersburg last week and taken to a military facility. The reason was stated to be that he is suspected of avoiding military service when he moved to the United States.
According to Russian journalist Aleksey Shevchenko, this is when @NHLFlyers goalie Ivan Fedotov was arrested. pic.twitter.com/xb3nYbS4JX
— Karl Månsson (@karl_khl) July 1, 2022
Following the arrest, there were also reports that Fedotov was taken to a hospital by ambulance after complaining of abdominal pain, and on Saturday night Fedotov’s lawyer, Alexei Ponomarev, reported that the goalkeeper remained in poor health.
It has since been reported that Fedotov has been assigned to a military base in northern Russia for a term of one-year.
Kaprizov tied for fifth in the NHL with 47 goals and held sole place of fifth with 108 points in 81 games last season.
By Harrison Brown
Oh god. Had far does this scandal reach? Did Ovi, Kuzy, Orly, Sammy ever serve military time?
Nope but Ovi is Putin boy! He would do anything for him so that he could return here next year to keep up his goal streak!
mostly the Putin mob sends people from their eastern regions to die in Ukraine. Not too many children of Moscow there. But they’re running out of cannon fodder so they’re talking about conscription. Fedetov is being made an example.
Understand wanting to go home but maybe this was the year not to or maube it is time to leave, if they can. If they are talking conscription than all the hockey players of of age for that. Wonder how this will effect the players looking to get drafted. If putin wont let them out of russia than that is a wasted pick. Maybe we see the 6th or 7th round nothing but russian players.
I think Kuzy stayed here (same as last summer), and Samsonov has been here/Florida since season ended.
Russia is it’s own planet.
I just hope Kirill’s family won’t be in trouble over this.